And the San Diego Music Award for “Best Americana” band goes to “¦ Ocean Beach’s very own, The Grams!
On Sept. 18, The Grams walked away from the ceremony at Viejas Concerts in the Park with a SDMA. This is the first time the band has won, though Lead singer/songwriter Chuck Schiele has been previously nominated.
Schiele, lead guitarist Craig Yerkes, violinist Sweet Elise Ohki and behind-the-scenes Beach Music Mafia coordinator Joanna Schiele are still basking in the glow of recognition shown by fellow San Diegans.
“It feels great”¦we owe our thanks to the people of OB because they’re the ones who got us here,” Schiele said.
The Grams have been working hard over the past three years to bring the best music to Ocean Beach “¦ and not just their own. Schiele has recruited numerous acts to the area, keeping the sense of community strong and real, a gesture that maintains The Grams as an Ocean Beach favorite.
Schiele frequently works with the Ocean Beach Mainstreet Association to book bands for the Farmers Market on Wednesday evenings, and has lined up talent for the Point Loma Village Fair and the Ocean Beach Chili Cook-Off. He has also helped clean up the corner of Bacon and Newport, which, according to Schiele, was rowdy.
“It used to be a little surly there, if you know what I mean. Now it’s back to babies dancing in the street; the way it should be,” he said.
Schiele said the award is the fans’ way of acknowledging the band’s dedication to their craft and community. He attributed The Grams’ success to their ability to stick together and work hard. The loyalty they have for each other is not just an abstract concept; in fact, guitarist Yerkes and violinist Sweet Elise married and Chuck and Joanna Schiele recently celebrated their first wedding anniversary during this time of success.
The Grams are the band that fell in love and married each other, said Schiele.
The Grams and Beach Music Mafia can be seen and heard on any given week at the Farmers Market and other Ocean Beach venues, whether playing a gig themselves or promoting new local talent. Schiele said The Grams plan to focus on making a new CD and continue contributing to a healthy, OB music scene, which regularly has venues booked up to three months in advance.
For more on the band, visit www.thegrams.net.